Improvement in school-desks



w|LL|AM A SLAYMAKEK Improvement in School Desk's.l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. SLAYMAKER, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

`IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOL-DESKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,797, dated February 20, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'WILLIAM A. SLAYMAK- ER, of Atlanta, county of Fulton, State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in School-Desks, of which the following isa-full and clear description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, and to theletters of reference marked thereon. In the drawing, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved desk complete. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, showing the seat and one of its supports 5 Fig. 3 a sectional elevation, showing the manner of joining the top and back yand seat or' the desk to the iron frames, as will be fully described hereinafter 5 and Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe end frame and bar for the seat-arms.

My improvement in school-desks, consists in a new method of framing and connecting the parts of the desk, whereby it is more cheaply constructed, iirmer in build, more complete in finish, more convenient for use, and less liable to get broken than those generally manufactured at the present time. The seat or bench attached to each school-desk is so arranged that its occupant is not liable to shake the desk-is perfectly supported-and folds back out of the way when not in use.

In construction, I form my desk of two side frames, AA, connected by means of screw-rods, B B, &c. These side frames regulate the height of the desk, and contain grooves a a for the top plank to fit into. b b grooves for the bottom and o o grooves for the front of the desk or the back of the attached seat. The ends of the pieces forming the lid, front, and bottom of the desk, are inserted into these grooves in Y their respective places, and the two side frames are closed towards each other by means of the c screwrods,lthus clamping the wood-work in place between them. The side frame may be made of any convenient metal. Each side ira-me is extended at a point, D, to form a hinge for the side frames of the seat. These side ames are triangular-shaped, andhave grooves ff, for the reception of the seat-slats or piece. They are connected by means of the clamp-rod F, in a manner similar to the side-frames A A of the desk. At the lower angle of each triangular frame, E, is a slot, g, which turns upon a solid pin, o, set into or forming a part of the side frame A at the point D. At the extreme of the angle and following the direction of the slots, and proj ectingfrom each triangular frame outward, is a projection, h, which slips into a cavity, j, in the side frame A, when the seat is in use, and thus locks it in place, the seat being clamped between the upper sides of the triangular frames and hinges being formed at the opposite angles. The slots g permit the slipping down of the seat, so as to bring the projection h into the cavity j, and this position is shown in detail view, Fig. II. Vhen, however, the seat is to be folded back, out of the way, under the desk, as shown in View, Figs. 2 and 5, the projection h slips in iront of the projecting edge lc of the side frame, and thus locks the seat in this position. In addition to the hinge-lock a stop,m,1nay be formed on each ofthe triangular arms at the rear angle H. This stop, working between the side pieces J and K, of the side frame A A prevents strain upon the hinge in either position by limiting the movement of the seat to its proper play.

When it is desired to shift the seat to either position, it is necessary to raise the seat high 'enough to bring the projection h out of the cavity j before it will turn on the hinge-pins.

The clamping-rods B B B, &c., may be constructed in any convenient manner, and placed in such position as may suit the peculiar shape of the side frames. Any number may be used that may prove most convenient.

The advantages of this desk and seat are, first, the cheapness of its manufacture; second, the strength ofthe whole desk, and simplicity of its construction, each end of all the wooden pieces being completely metal-bound and not weakened at any place by the insertion of screws, nails, or dovetail points; third, the seat-arms are supported directly underneath, and there is no leverage brought to bear against the hinge suiiicient to strain it in the least; this, besides rendering the seat stronger, gives it a iirmer support and less bearing upon the desk, preventing shaking.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, in a desk, of side frames having grooves adapted to receive the boards of the desk, With the boards and clampingrods, substantially as described.

2. The seat described, pivoted at the apex ofthe triangle formed by its arms, and adapted to swing onts pivot back beneath the desk, as described.

3. The combination of the triangular seat frame E, with slot g, and projection IL, and the projecting portion of side frame A, with recess 7', pin o, and projecting edge k, when arranged and constructed as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 26th day of October, 1871. Y

W. A. SLAYMAKER.

Witnesses:

L. B. SPENCER, J. B. BRIDGES. 

